Dr. Davis spends her days mostly responding to emergencies that require immediate, life- or limb-saving intervention. Her patients often have blood flow issues or ruptured aneurysms.

Story by: Jennifer Reynolds on February 7, 2018

Norton Healthcare’s newest vascular surgeon is Hanna Davis, D.O.

What’s a D.O.? It stands for doctor of osteopathy. Her medical degree requires the same type of training as an M.D., but her training focused on working with the body’s ability to heal itself.

As a child, Dr. Davis liked to take things apart and put them back together. During her residency training in Boston, Dr. Davis became the first D.O. to train in general surgery.  It was there that she realized she could combine her love of hands-on work with her desire to follow patients through treatment and recovery. A mentor helped her discern that vascular surgery was her calling. She became the first woman from her residency program to go on to a vascular surgery fellowship.

“Vascular surgery patients usually have complex medical conditions that require customized care plans,” Dr. Davis said. “You have to be able to think on your feet and find the solution that best fits the patient’s needs because there’s no one-size-fits-all answer.”

A native of Western Kentucky, Dr. Davis is happy to be back in Kentucky. She spent the past several years in Boston, hometown of her husband, Pete, and then in Tucson, Arizona, where she completed her fellowship training.

“I am now able to be close to my parents and most of my siblings,” Dr. Davis said. “I believe you end up in places where you’re needed, and I’m meant to be back here.”

She spends her days mostly responding to emergencies that require immediate, life- or limb-saving intervention. Her patients often have blood flow issues or ruptured aneurysms.

Read more: Dr. Davis saved a young mom from a potentially deadly blood clot

In her off time, Dr. Davis makes frequent trips to Walt Disney World.  She promised a trip to each of her 25 nieces and nephews for their seventh or eighth birthdays.

She and Pete also can be found cheering on the New England Patriots — something they’ve turned into a “family” affair with their dog and cat.